Science

Atomic motion could help push solar cells beyond conventional limits

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 05/10/2026, 20:25:24 UTC.

Briefings

A study from the Institute of Science Tokyo discovered that the bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) can persist in materials like CuCrP2S6 even when their average crystal structure becomes centrosymmetric, challenging conventional physics. Researchers observed this phenomenon in a van der Waals material that transitions between noncentrosymmetric and centrosymmetric states, suggesting a new strategy for improving photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Key points

• The bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) can persist in CuCrP2S6 despite the material's average crystal structure becoming centrosymmetric, a finding that contradicts traditional assumptions about BPVE requirements.
• Researchers successfully demonstrated this effect in a van der Waals material that transitions from a noncentrosymmetric to a centrosymmetric average structure, indicating a potential pathway to enhance photoelectric conversion beyond conventional limits.

Context and limitations

The study covers only one specific material (CuCrP2S6) and one specific transition type (noncentrosymmetric to centrosymmetric). Results are limited to the timeframe of the 2026 publication and do not include long-term stability data or broader material comparisons.

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